Trulli Relishes Renault Challenge
For Jarno Trulli, the looming grand prix season with a competitive
Renault racer could not have come at a better time.

The Italian heads into his seventh year of Formula One in 2003, and -
at age 29 - says he is ready for the responsibility of stepping up
from the sport's midfield.

Jarno has earned a reputation over the years for showing stunning
Saturday qualifying form, but letting his head drop on race-day.

But those days, he says, are over.

'Experience makes all the difference in F1,' says Trulli. 'In all
areas, I'm a better driver today than when I started out.'

He first drove for Minardi, stunned the world by leading in a Prost at
the A1-Ring in just his fourteenth race, before settling in for a two
year stint at the French team.

Trulli then spent two years at Jordan before he got his chance with
manager-mentor Flavio Briatore in blue and yellow Renault overalls.

With six years of F1 experience and approaching his third decade of
life, then, it is nonetheless hard to believe that Jarno is one of the
most experienced men on the grand prix grid.

'Having said that, I am ready,' he concludes. 'The Renault adventure
has come at exactly the right time and will give me a chance to show
just what I am capable of.'

One of the Italian's biggest challenges this year, however, will be
the rated young hotshoe in the R23 beside him - Spanish 21-year-old
Fernando Alonso.

But Jarno says he won't be going all out to conquer the rookie as he
returns from the testing wheel: 'We will be out to defend Renault's
colors before worrying about our own personal interests,' he says.

Trulli adds: 'This will be Fernando's second season in F1 and I will
be happy to help him in any way that is necessary. He is extremely
quick, but that doesn't worry me.'

Jarno spent 2002 alongside Jenson Button, beating him on Saturday
afternoon but quite often struggling to match the Englishman's pace
when the grand prix came about.

The Italian won multiple karting and F3 titles before landing in
Formula One.

But far from cower away from a tough team-mate battle, Jarno Trulli is
adamant that two hard chargers pushing each other is good for the
team.

'It's always useful to have a teammate who forces you to the limit,'
he says. 'At the end of the day it's to the benefit of the whole
team.'

Renault are targeting an ambitious four podiums this year before 2004
and beyond hold championship aspirations.

Busy Day At Circuit Ricardo Tormo
A busy test kicked off at the Valencia circuit in Spain yesterday, ten
cars and seven teams clocking up the miles at the twisty, sunny and
hot Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

Rubens Barrichello ended the day top of the times as he and scarlet
development cohort Luca Badoer swapped between three F2002 cars and
tire and electronics programs.

'Today we just worked on electronics and tire developments,' said
Barrichello, the Brazilian.

'We're going to start the season with this car, so we just need to
fine-tune it as much as possible.'

Michael Schumacher arrived at the circuit on Tuesday afternoon and
will take to the driving wheel on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, chief test engineer Luigi Mazzola explained at the track
that the all-new 052 V10 Ferrari engine won't make a first appearance
until the F2003 hits the circuit.

'We'll have to use this engine because we're starting the season with
the F2002,' said the Italian, referring to the 2002-spec powerplant
that rounded out the past season, and resides the uprated Valencia
car.

'The new engine for 2003 doesn't fit in the back of the old car.'

The surprise pace on Tuesday, however, came from Jordan's brand-new
EJ13 as the Silverstone-based team fended off a dire first week at
Barcelona to conduct low fuel qualifying runs.

EJ13 ran reliably all day with Giancarlo Fisichella at the wheel
before a mechanical problem ground it to a halt within half an hour of
the end of the session.

Gary Anderson, Director of Race and Test Engineering, described
Tuesday at Valencia as 'good to get some normal test running in.

'Although we still have a bit to do here and there, we have made
progress,' the Irishman added. 'We haven't had any major problems
today and we are beginning to understand the car better.

'It's encouraging that we are lapping a second quicker than we were
here last year.'

Olivier Panis continued to show form with 63 laps in his tidy new
TF103 Toyota package, his '03 team-mate Cristiano Da Matta, of CART
champion fame, getting his deficit down to less than a second.

Panis and Da Matta both had a new Toyota package at their disposal,
and worked on general car setup and Michelin tire testing.

'Once again, I had a very good feeling for the TF103 car like I had in
Barcelona two weeks ago,' said Panis, the Frenchman.

29-year-old Cristiano, from Belo Horizonte, mused enthusiastically
about the TF103 as it marked his first 'proper test' with the new car
on a dry circuit.

'The car handled great straight away and, although we did not do too
much in the way of set-up work, the car feels more stable and the
traction is much better than the TF102B,' he says.

Da Matta's first run in the TF103 last week was washed out by rain at
the Circuit Paul Ricard.

He added: 'The total package of chassis, engine and gearbox in the
TF103 is really good, but we need to make some small adjustments to
the position of my seat and the pedals.'

The new Jaguar R4 of Mark Webber continued to clock up the miles with
the 90-degree Cosworth CR5 powerplant, the similarly-new BAR005 of
Jacques Villeneuve next on the timesheets.

Webber also worked on the new gearbox and Michelin compounds, managing
a quickest time of 1.11.952s from 52 laps of the circuit. Antonio
Pizzonia takes over on Thursday.

Australian-born Webber pulled his green racer onto the verge around
lunchtime, bringing out the red flags.

Villeneuve, meanwhile, was buoyed with the 005's form on a totally
different brand of track to the Circuit de Catalunya, where he made
his 2003 debut last week.

'The car is definitely good here also,' said the Canadian ex-world
champion. 'It's good to know that the car is good at a very different
type of circuit to Barcelona.

'The car is very stable, particularly in the slow corners. I'm very
happy with the work we've done, and I can't wait to do more work on
the car.'

The 31-year-old is scheduled to complete all four days of running at
Valencia; if he does, it'll be the first such feat in his seven-year
Formula One career.

Jacques' new young team-mate Jenson Button will climb into the 005 on
Wednesday.

Further down pitlane, McLaren turned out with two MP4-17D cars for
Alexander Wurz and young English fill-in Gary Paffett, the pair only
notching up a combined 60 laps.

David Coulthard is still sitting out the tests after heading home with
a stomach bug last week.

Takuma Sato rounded out the times on Tuesday as he continued to
acclimatize to his new role as BAR tester, the birthday-boy Japanese
managing 51 laps for a best lap some 1.6 seconds off the pace.

Meanwhile, tiny Anglo-Italian team Minardi have turned out at Valencia
with two [2001-spec] PS01 cars and new drivers Jos Verstappen and
Justin Wilson, but have no signed tire contract to speak of.

Boss Paul Stoddart made his way to the Spanish circuit overnight to
iron out a quick deal with Bridgestone to allow Faenza to get some '03
miles on the tally.

Button Plays Down JV Feud
Jenson Button is trying to play down the rising media frenzy
surrounding his new icy relationship with feisty BAR team-mate Jacques
Villeneuve.

Ever since the 22-year-old Englishman stepped through the front
Brackley doors, ex-world champion Villeneuve has given him an
inhospitable, at best, welcome.

'Some drivers will be fast but will be mentally very, very weak,' said
the French Canadian. 'So, then you don't respect them.'

Observers noted at the recent Barcelona tests that, oddly, partitions
had been erected between the BAR garages. Other pundits remarked that
the pair didn't share a word for the entire three-day session.

Button, meanwhile, insists that all will be well at 2003-spec British
American Racing: 'Jacques and I are going to work together in a way
that we will share information,' he said.

'We are going to work as teammates.'

He denies that Villeneuve is out to psychologically destroy him: 'I am
sure that there will be times that we don't get along, and there will
be times when we work very well together.'

The Frome racer is unfazed by reports that he'll be doing well simply
to keep up with the 1997 world champion.

After all, says the Englishman, he's partnered Ralf Schumacher at
Williams and Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli at Renault - none
of whom are known for their track straggling.

'Jacques has been world champion and he is very experienced,' Button
said.

'I have never been his teammate, so I don't know what to expect, but I
have been with three very quick teammates, especially the two
Italians.'

But Villeneuve has made it clear that Jenson won't even get a passing
hello - let alone an invite to dinner - from him in 2003.

Button is not overly concerned. 'We are going to be sharing data, that
is the most important thing,' the 22-year-old said. 'If we don't talk
outside the circuit, it is not a big thing for me. We all have our own
friends.'

To calm the hungry media, then, Jenson recalls an often friendly
relationship with the outspoken Quebecois.

He explains: 'When I arrived in F1, Jacques was one of the guys who
said 'good luck and enjoy it.' We have talked in the paddock before,
and in the drivers briefing.

'Most drivers just keep to themselves.'

Jenson says most team-mates aren't best buddies: 'Outside the circuit
there are not so many drivers who spend time together,' he adds.

'We don't have to talk all the time. We don't have to laugh at each
other's jokes. But we need to work together.'

Jacques Villeneuve, contemplating a fifth year at the BAR outfit, says
he has not closed his door to Jenson Button.

The 11-times grand prix winner insists he has an open mind about going
racing alongside anybody. 'I was open to work with [Ricardo] Zonta, so
I am open to work with anybody,' Villeneuve said coyly.

But Jacques destroyed Zonta on the track and arguably won an even
bloodier battle in the Brazilian's mind.

'Some drivers will be fast but will be mentally very, very weak,'
Villeneuve said. 'This is a job where it is important to be strong.'

The pair shared a mixed and unique acquaintance at the pinnacle of
motorsports, Burti residing the sister Jaguar as team-mate to Irvine
for the first four races of 2001.

After differences with ex-boss Bobby Rahal, Burti left the team bound
for Prost.

Marking the end of his initial race stint in Formula One though, the
Brazilian collided with Irvine at the flat-out Blanchimont corner at
Spa-Francorchamps, slamming head-first into the barriers, knock
unconscious and injured.

Eddie Irvine, the 37-year-old Ulsterman, leapt from his stricken R2
and frantically set about helping the track marshals clear Luciano
Burti who was buried deep under crash-tires.

Burti said: 'Eddie's absence will be a great loss because he is a
great driver and an even larger personality in F1.

'He is a different driver, who says what he thinks and after you get
to know him better you see that he is a great person.'

Burti now spends his days testing Ferraris for Michael Schumacher and
Rubens Barrichello.

'I will always remember three important moments,' continues the
Paulista of Irvine.

Burti's own grand prix career was cut short by the Belgian crash and
subsequent collapse of Alain Prost's team.

He adds: 'Irvine's victory in Austria in 1999 was very exciting, and
his podium finishes, driving a Jaguar in 2001 in Monaco and in 2002 at
Monza.'

'Bahrain used to pride itself on having the best Arabian horses,' says
Mohammed Mohsin Kayani, editor of Arabia Motors magazine on the island
state.

'Now we pride ourselves on having more knowledge about horse power.'

F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone sealed the deal late last year to take
his grand prix circus, for the first time, into the Arab world.

Work has already begun on the $120 million state-of the art facility.

The desert south of capital Manama will stage the first Bahraini Grand
Prix late next year.

'The biggest challenge of this project is the time frame,' says Sheikh
Mohammed bin Isa al-Khalifa, chairman of the racing circuit committee.
'They're working 24 hours a day.

'We're slightly ahead of plan now but it's still early days.'

Work presently centers on blasting through rock to carve out the
track, whilst foundations are being laid for the main grandstand and
garaging and paddock facilities.

Sheikh Mohammed says the track, whilst boasting a showcase for
traditional Arab architecture, is principally designed to be
challenging for the grand prix drivers.

'This area of the main grandstand will be landscaped like an oasis,'
he said.

'You can go out into the desert and back to the oasis,' he adds,
'standing where the track will run down the main straight.

'From the driver's point of view we have the changes in elevation.
Part of the track is behind the hill and we have some nice elevation
changes to make the track more exciting.'

Bahrain, the tiny island state surrounded by the Middle Eastern Gulf,
fended off the challenges for the sought-after event after competition
from Dubai, Egypt and Lebanon.

Sheikh Jaber bin Ali al-Khalifa, a car fanatic and racing driver,
thanks the efforts of one man in particular.

'The crown prince is also a motor sport enthusiast,' he explained.

'He owns a collection of cars that he keeps for himself and that's one
of the major reasons we have the Formula One track being built.

'Because of his enthusiasm.'

Bahrain will join the Chinese city of Shanghai in hosting new Grands
Prix in 2004.

Michelin And BMW Step Up Roles
Michelin and BMW are stepping up their roles for season 2003 as
Williams prepare to launch a world championship challenge.

Sam Michael, the Grove team's Chief Operations Engineer, notes that
French tire partner Michelin are making promising progress as the
looming season lies just five weeks away.

Williams will unveil a more adventurous FW25 package this Friday, in
Spain.

'During the tire testing, Michelin have found another promising
compound and we have also verified a gain in tire construction,' said
the Australian as testing resumes at Valencia.

'The Michelin engineers are making really good progress, which is
encouraging at this point of the year.'

Williams won just one race last year - Ralf Schumacher's triumph in
Malaysia - while Ferrari stomped off with double world championships
in crushing style.

The lauded 30-year-old continues to emphasize the importance of
competitive tires in the duel for Formula One glory: 'We're exploring
all-new compound and casing directions.'

Michael adds: 'Michelin have already found two new compounds; one soft
and one hard. The casing directions are interesting as well but are
longer-term developments.'

BMW chief Dr Mario Theissen has also been on hand for the last three
weeks of intensive Williams testing as the all-new P83 powerplant
clocks up the miles and gains reliability.

The P83 is more powerful and lighter than its predecessor, even
despite the older unit's plaudits as the best and highest-revving in
pitlane.

'As well as supporting the chassis and tire development work on the
car, we have also been able to complete an extensive engine
development program during the Valencia test,' said the German.

'Our tasks were divided between testing new components for the P83 BMW
engine as well as working on the engine's mapping.

'Step by step, we are finalizing the engine's configuration for
Melbourne.'

Williams will return to the circuit at Barcelona on Saturday February
1 for a five day program, after the official launch of the new car.

Sam Michael continues that new brake materials from Carbone Industrie,
suspension geometries and aerodynamic components were also on the
Valencia job-list.

He explains: 'All of this is aimed at the FW25.'

Minardi Left Boot-less In Spain
Minardi may be forced to sit out the tests at Valencia this week after
advanced talks with tire supplier Bridgestone broke down.

The Faenza-based team has been Michelin-clad for the last two years
but, unlike the French supplier's contracts with McLaren and Williams,
Minardi had to pay for the privilege.

F1 sources suggest that world champion Japanese marque Bridgestone are
keen to get Minardi on their rubber after boss Paul Stoddart signed up
for the Heathrow Agreement on test restrictions.

Under the plan, Bridgestone hope to supply Minardi - and other
contracted Friday test-team Jordan - with several examples of tire for
evaluation prior to opening practice at the grands prix.

The deal will, according to speculation, see Minardi wear Bridgestone
tires for free.

Otherwise, think Bridgestone, Michelin may get the advantage by
supplying both Renault and Minardi with evaluation French rubber in
the Friday sessions.

But until a deal is done with either tire company, Minardi is left
stranded with a PS01 chassis, new Cosworth CR4 engine, the Valencia
circuit and drivers Jos Verstappen and Justin Wilson - but no track
action.

According to reports, Aussie team principal Paul Stoddart arrived in
southern Spain overnight in a private European jet to conclude a deal
with Bridgestone.

When asked at Renault's R23 track launch in France last week, Michelin
F1 boss Pierre Dupasquier said of the Minardi tire situation: 'As far
as I am aware, Minardi will be with Bridgestone.'

Ferrari won a dominant 2002 Formula One World Championship double with
Japanese-made Bridgestone tires.

'We are actively seeking to conclude a deal with Bridgestone,' said
Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart. 'However as no deal has yet been
concluded we cannot say for certain.'

The 48-year-old, however, adds that either one of Bridgestone or
Michelin are compelled to supply the Faenza team with tires under the
provisions of the Concorde Agreement.

'The rules state that both companies must supply tires to six teams if
requested to do so,' said Stoddart.

The Austrian says that, with all-new parts, a new gearbox and revised
suspension developments, the MP4-17D will be almost unidentifiable
when it lands on the Albert Park circuit in five weeks.

'We are making a lot of steps forward with the tire/chassis
relationship and things seem very positive,' Wurz said.

The Woking team and Wurz are in action at the Valencia circuit this
week, and intend to delay the launch of a new racer until it is fully
developed.

'We're testing a new gearbox and suspension developments and both have
been performing well,' he adds. 'There are always a few niggles making
new parts work, but that's why we test!'

Sources tip that the MP4-18 won't hit the championship until as late
as the Spanish Grand Prix.

But Wurz says the 17D will be lighter, stiffer and boast a lower
centre of gravity than its original MP4-17 - the car that finished
only third in the constructors' chase driven by David Coulthard and
Kimi Raikkonen.

'We are also going for minimum friction in the gearbox and
suspension,' the Austrian - who last raced in 2000 - adds.

Alexander will spend 2003 as his third successive year on the
development and reserve bench. 'The MP4-18 will have a new gearbox,
too, but its all secret,' he continues.

'All I can say is that it has seven speeds.'

It may be highly secreted and concealed behind closed Woking doors in
England, but Wurz has already sat in a mock-up of the MP4-18 for an
initial seat fitting.

He says it 'feels pretty good.

'The regulations are so tight now, its difficult to make things look
radically different, but you will see some changes when it runs for
the first time. There's a lot of detail change.'

Wurz continues: 'That's where we are making most of the gains now. A
new car is always the most exciting things you can see - that buzz is
the same for everyone in the team.'

But the Austrian isn't sure that the new silver racer will be good
enough to beat the Ferrari juggernaut - consecutive manufacturers
champions for the last four years.

'I hope we can match them by the middle of the season,' says Alex.
'There are no guarantees, but that's our aim.'

He adds: 'We are not here to be second in the championship, and with a
man like Ron Dennis running things, you know they're not ready to take
second best.'

More To Come From Improved BAR
The all-new BAR005 will get new wings and an uprated Honda V10 engine
before it is ready to race at the season-opening Australian Grand
Prix.

That is the word in the Spanish Circuit Ricardo Tormo paddock as
ex-world champion Jacques Villeneuve clocked up 65 laps and a time
less than a second down on the leading Ferrari on Tuesday.

'The car isn't completely ready yet,' said the French-Canadian, whose
words have all been positive in first assessments of the all-new
Brackley charger.

Villeneuve has been at BAR since 1999, but the 005 is the first
contender designed by ex-Williams aerodynamicist Geoffrey Willis.

'We are waiting for new wings,' Villeneuve adds.

'The aero is not the final version and neither is the engine. But we
have made a good step forward and everything is going as planned.'

Jacques slammed the new Honda engine for boasting no more 'punch' than
its overweight and underpowered predecessor after first trying it at
Barcelona.

But after the Japanese marque had a quiet word in the 31-year-old's
ear that a better engine is on the way for Melbourne, Villeneuve has
changed his tune.

Season 2003 kicks off at Australia's Albert Park in just over five
weeks.

Villeneuve said of the new Honda V10: 'This engine has been designed
and built quickly so that we could do more tests, but we should have a
better, more powerful and more reliable engine in two or three weeks'
time.

'It's a new concept engine and everyone still has things to
understand,' he added.

'But certainly, the car is more easy to drive than last year's. We
have made a big step forward and I'm feeling positive.'

The outspoken, diminutive Canadian's race engineer Jock Clear was also
busy at the Valencia circuit but willing to muse enthusiastically
about the all-new and striking 005.

'We have high expectations, and we think we have done a pretty good
job across the board - but only time will tell how big a step forward
the other teams have taken too.'

The Briton added: 'The car is very different in its conception and,
being the first one from Geoff [Willis], it is a move away from the
direction we've been taking in recent years.

'Geoff has put into practice a lot of the stuff he learned at
Williams.'

Clear, a good friend of Villeneuve's, comments on the early sparring
taking place between BAR's two driver garages.

Villeneuve said he has little respect for incoming English team-mate,
Jenson Button, ahead of season 2003.

'As far as Jacques is concerned,' says Jock, 'Jenson has still got
something to prove. I'm sure there'll be even more bits and pieces
going on before the season even starts.

'It'll be interesting to see where and how they line up against each
other at Melbourne."

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